NTCA Survey Underscores Risks of Lost USF Support

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2024 – The negative impact of a recent court decision that threatens a multi-billion dollar broadband subsidy program is starting to sink in.

According to a new survey, the demise of the $8.1 billion Universal Service Fund would lead to exorbitant price hikes in rural consumers' monthly Internet bills and damage the ability of network providers to repay existing development loans or invest in new technology in low-density, high-cost areas.

"As this survey highlights, without USF support, not only could consumers who currently have broadband see the cost of their bills skyrocket, but rural providers will find it harder or even impossible to make the further investments needed to connect those still waiting for service or to repay loans for deployments already made," said Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA - the Rural Broadband Association, sponsor of the survey.